It's been a long time!

Hi folks, I am sneaking back in after being AWOL since July, I hope you're still talking to me!!! I had a bit of a low patch and the school summer holidays were a bit of a nightmare but hopefully we're getting back to normal a bit now. I hope you've all enjoyed the summer :)

I've got quite a few things to tell you about, to say the least. I'll start with the things I've been making. At the moment I've got a commission to make some bunting (which is finished, shown above) and two large cushion covers for a friend. I love when people ask me to make them things and trust me with which fabrics to choose etc, it's just the best. The cushions need to be one with the little girl's name on and one union jack one, which I'm part way through. I am so much more careful when I'm making for someone else, none of the guesswork and no measuring like I do when it's something for me! Anyway here's some of the things I've been making...

A mini pirate themed cushion for one of my eldest's classmates, with a few sweeties inside. Apparently he told everyone about it at school the day after the party, which was lovely to hear! 

We gave it to him with a pirates activity book.

This is an awful picture of a cushion I made for another school friend, whose favourite colour is red and she loves High School Musical (which up to now I have been spared from.... thank God).

Then we have a heart for another little girl and a fairy sticker book as she's into those. The button doesn't show properly but it's a glittery one. I was pretty pleased with this one.

I made these thank you hearts for my eldest's teacher and teaching assistant at the end of term and apparently it made them cry!!!!

The reverse had their names on and some buttons and kisses...

I also made hearts with initials on for little one's preschool ladies, which they seemed pleased with too. All strawberry themed.

To spare you from any more hearts here is a lovely doll I made with my eldest, it came in a kit and is really for eight years+ (she is five) so it was a joint effort and we just did it now and again over a couple of months but it's ever so sweet.

In the kit you get a piece of (I think) calico with the doll printed on and a little bag shape, which you have to cut out and then sew. On the pictures they sewed theirs leaving the raw edges on the outside but we did it so they would be inside (Mummy got a bit anal there hahaha).

So here is Rosanna on the rocking chair which the box converts into.

I made a pirate picture for a friend's son's fifth birthday on her request as he loves them, she'd asked for him to be holding a sword. She was really pleased with the results and is going to get it framed soon, apparently Joshua was delighted and it's going up in his bedroom, awww.

And here is a cushion I made for one of my bestest friend's 30th birthday pressie, which now lives on her bed. I adore the girls under umbrellas fabric and I've told her that it's us!

So here is us!!!

Onto a couple of bloggers I have recently received goodies from from and been delighted with. Firstly I won a giveaway prize from Bekimarie (here or Facebook shop here). She sent this lovely felt heart brooch, I absolutely love it! Thanks Beki xxx

Look how beautifully wrapped it arrived, and with sweeties too, mmm!

Then this cupcake brooch was bought from Kitty Eden via her facebook page or you can find her goodies here or here. Isn't it gorgeous?! Again I was lucky and got a lollipop... this one I kept for myself... purely so the girls wouldn't fight over it you understand ;) The button brooch was popped in as well and is sooo cute, I love the little card it was on as well, that's made it onto my girly noticeboard of lovelies by the front door. Thank you Kitty Eden!

What next? Perhaps you'd like to see some car boot finds??? These are from the huge boot sale that takes place every August bank holiday Monday at Wilton House near Salisbury, it usually turns up a few gems and this year was no different luckily. The girls got a lot of toys and books, Mummy got lots of lovely things too!

Here's a collection of mad little mice that to be honest I still can't find a place for! Perhaps the heat had got to me but I couldn't resist. They were from three different stalls and were about 50p each. I love the one in the cheese! They are sitting on an embroidered table cloth that I got there too. Kicking myself now for not buying the embroidered white one on the same stall but somehow at a boot sale £4 seems like a lot ;)

Then I got these lovely posies, I think the most expensive one was about £2. Don't you just LOVE the crinoline lady cloth? Just £1, I couldn't believe it! I am half thinking about setting up a Folksy or Facebook shop and if I do this will probably be used to make something for it but I will keep you posted on that one.

Fancy seeing some swap goodies? This was from the seaside swap that I mentioned before and I have to apologise to Beverley for being horribly late with her things.

Here is what she sent me, the bag she made is v clever... thank you Beverley xx

This is what I sent her when it was wrapped ready to go...

Some of it was bought on holiday in Exmoor,

and other parts handmade.

 

This picture was made from a fabric I've had for a while saved for something special, I think it's cute.

 

OK I think that might be it for now, and you are probably breathing a huge sigh of relief! Thank you for all the birthday wishes, it seems so long ago now. Take care and I'll be back soon I promise, love Mel xxx